SIGS

Italian wedding traditions

Explore Catholic ceremony terms and Italian family celebration customs. Regional traditions and religious choices vary; your own family’s plans determine the day.

Consent

The couple express their agreement to marry during the ceremony.

Ring blessing and exchange

Rings are blessed and exchanged as part of a Catholic wedding ceremony.

Nuptial blessing

A prayer asking God’s blessing on the couple and their married life.

Wedding Mass

A Catholic marriage celebration that includes the Eucharist. A Catholic wedding may also be celebrated without Mass.

Confetti

In Italian wedding traditions, confetti are sugar-coated almonds, rather than the paper pieces the English word often describes.

Family celebration customs

Bomboniere

Wedding favours given to guests, often accompanied by confetti.

La busta

An envelope containing a card or monetary gift for the couple.

La borsa

A bag used to collect gift envelopes in some family traditions.

Tarantella

An Italian folk dance that some families include in reception celebrations.

La serenata

A serenade organised before the wedding in some regional or family traditions.

Reception dessert table

A display of sweets and desserts, sometimes described as a Venetian hour in Italian-American celebrations.

Rice toss

Rice thrown during a chosen wedding exit celebration, where the ceremony venue permits it.

Planning photography and video

Tell us whether you are celebrating Mass, which relatives should be included in portraits, and whether favours or family gifts need detail photographs.

A guide to your own wedding

Use this glossary to start a conversation, rather than as a checklist. Tell us which traditions you are including, what they mean to you and which moments should remain private.

Explore all wedding terms

Explore heritage and traditions

Read the Catholic wedding ceremony guide

Tell us about your wedding